SportsAid announces one-to-watch award shortlist for 2017

07 November 2017 / 10:22

SportsAid is delighted to announce the 10 athletes on the shortlist for this year’s One-to-Watch Award.

The annual award, set to be presented at the charity’s SportsBall in London on Thursday 23 November, was launched in 2006 and looks to shine a spotlight on the achievements of Britain’s brightest young sporting prospects.

The One-to-Watch Award has an outstanding ‘Hall of Fame’ with double Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley winning the inaugural title when he was just 12-years-old.

Last year, triathlete Alex Yee received the One-to-Watch Award from Sir Mo Farah, a beneficiary of SportsAid support in 1999, after a sensational 12 months which saw him take gold in the ITU World Duathlon Junior Championships and bronze at the Quarteira ETU Triathlon Junior European Cup.

The One-to-Watch Award shortlist for 2017 includes four junior world champions with many European titles and national accolades won by the nominees…

Beth Shriever, 18, from Braintree - cycling

Calvin Tarczy, 17, from Fortis Green - rowing

Caroline Dubois, 16, from Chelsea - boxing

Charlie Smith, 18, from Leighton Buzzard - canoeing

Craig Boardman, 17 from Thruxton - para athletics

Finette Agyapong, 20, from Newham - athletics

Holly Dunford, 18, from Tadworth - rowing

Kate Waugh, 18, from Gateshead - triathlon

Lauren Hemp, 17, from North Walsham - football

Lily May Humphreys, 15, from Sudbury - golf

The 10 athletes have been selected from over 1,000 rising British stars supported by SportsAid across more than 60 different sports during 2017. Each year, athletes are nominated by their sport’s governing body on the strength of their talent and potential, demonstrating why the One-to-Watch Award has gained such a strong reputation for identifying the best up-and-coming prospects.

“I was amazed when I found out I had been nominated. It’s a special award," said Shriever.

"I look at the list of people who have won it previously and it’s impressive. SportsAid has been so important for me. BMX is an expensive sport and my mum and dad have had to go into their own pockets a lot.

"The support of SportsAid has helped with travelling costs, new equipment….lots of different things.

Skeet shooter Amber Hill was presented with the One-to-Watch Award by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge, the Patron of SportsAid, in 2013. Many SportsAid alumni have returned to hand over the award including Sir Matthew Pinsent, Sir Steve Redgrave, Victoria Pendleton CBE, Steve Backley OBE, Sir Ben Ainslie, Christine Ohuruogu MBE and Max Whitlock MBE.

Canoeist Smith said: “To be nominated was a massive surprise - I had no idea that it was coming.

"I’ve been supported by SportsAid for the last three years now and they have been a massive help.

"Canoeing is expensive and their financial help has been invaluable. Their support motivates me to achieve more success without a doubt. It makes training that little bit easier and keeps you going to reach the next level.

Here’s more information on the athletes shortlisted for this year’s One-to-Watch Award….

Beth Shriever (cycling)

18 from Braintree, Essex

SportsAid awards in 2013, 2014 (Prudential) and 2017

• Gold in the junior women’s class at the UCI BMX World Championships 2017

• Five junior titles across the UEC BMX European Cup Series 2017

• Sixth place in the Papendel round of the UCI BMX SX World Cup Series 2017 (senior level)

Calvin Tarczy (rowing)

17 from Fortis Green, London

SportsAid award in 2017 (GLL Sports Foundation)

• Gold in the men’s coxless four at the World Rowing Junior Championships 2017

• Gold in the junior men’s pair at the Munich International DRV Junior Regatta 2017

• Gold in the junior men’s eight at the Munich International DRV Junior Regatta 2017

Caroline Dubois (boxing)

16 from Chelsea, London

SportsAid award in 2017 (Backing The Best programme)

• Gold in the 60kg category at the EUBC European Women’s Youth and Junior Championships 2017

• Gold in the 60kg category at the GB Youth and Junior Three Nations Championships 2017

• Gold in the 57kg category at the EUBC European Women’s Youth and Junior Championships 2016

Charlie Smith (canoeing)

18 from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

SportsAid awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (Nottingham Building Society)

• Silver in the K1 Men’s Juniors at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships 2017

• Silver in the K1 Men’s Juniors at the ECA Canoe Marathon European Championships 2017

• Seventh place in the K1 Men’s Juniors 1000m at the ICF Canoe Sprint Junior and Under-23s World Championships 2017

Craig Boardman (para athletics)

17 from Thruxton, Hampshire

SportsAid award in 2017 (Realbuzz)

• Gold in the T34 100m at the World Junior Para Athletics Championships 2017

• Gold in the T34 200m at the World Junior Para Athletics Championships 2017

• Gold in the T34 400m at the World Junior Para Athletics Championships 2017